Being the newest member of the Plymouth design team, I have a lot of legacy to look up to. I’d like to give a little insight into the workings of the industry! Please follow me on my journey…

During my first day at Plymouth, I felt like a college student again. There were new faces to meet and new places to learn. The whole building was very nostalgic. Years back, I had been to the Plymouth warehouse when my mother and I came to visit. We got the tour and saw all of the antique ball winders and knitting machinery, the pattern room with the intimidating gigantic printers and copiers, the humungous boxes of Encore (Plymouth’s staple), and the inviting staff. It was so great to put a face to a voice.

However this day was special. This would be my new home and workplace. JoAnne had me follow her as I met the staff I would work with. Busily, I hurried along to the color cards shelves. JoAnne carefully plucked cards that I would need for picking out shades and hues. Finally, we sat down and went over lists of yarns we would start designing for. In the fashion industry, as well as the yarn industry, designers always plan at least one season in advance. Spring 2010 promised half a dozen new yarns that needed pattern support.

Vanessa,
I have a 5-year old grandaughter that I start a project for and then something happens and I don’t finish. She loves pink. Any suggestions for a pattern that looks kind of complicated but is simple to knit?